Chili Peppers Nix Concert After Singer Hospitalized With Flu

The Red Hot Chili Peppers canceled an appearance at a California radio station’s annual concert after lead singer Anthony Kiedis was hospitalized with intestinal flu, a band spokesman said Sunday.

Kiedis, 53, was expected to make a full recovery, Brian Bumbery told The Associated Press.

Photo: Rich Fury / Invision / AP
The Theatre At Ace Hotel, Los Angeles, Calif.

Bassist Flea told the crowd Saturday night in Orange County that the Chili Peppers would be unable to perform. Flea said Kiedis was on his way to a hospital for medical reasons, but he did not elaborate.

The band was scheduled to headline . Also on the bill at Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre were Weezer and Empire of the Sun.

Peppers drummer Chad Smith tweeted: “No one’s more disappointed than us that we couldn’t perform tonight. Sending love and a speedy recovery to my brother Anthony.”

Kiedis was taken to the hospital after experiencing “complications from the intestinal flu,” Bumbery said. As a result, the Chili Peppers will postpone a concert for iHeart Radio scheduled for Tuesday in Burbank, California, he said.

“They would like to extend their gratitude to the fans for the outpouring of well wishes,” he said.

The band’s latest album, The Getaway, is set for release on June 16. They are set to perform May 23 at the festival in Ohio and May 29 at the festival in Northern California.